Suspect in church shooting upset over breakup, police say

Phillip Lucas,by Phillip Lucas, Associated Press

September 20, 2015

Photo: Alaina Denean Deshazo, MBR

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The Oasis Tabernacle Church is seen in East Selma, Ala., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson says suspect James Minter has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting a woman, an infant and a pastor inside the church. (Alaina Denean Deshazo/The Selma Times-Journal via AP) less

The Oasis Tabernacle Church is seen in East Selma, Ala., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson says suspect James Minter has been charged with three counts of attempted ... more

Photo: Alaina Denean Deshazo, MBR

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A man upset over a breakup shot three people, inclu-
ding his own baby, at a church in Alabama Sunday.﻿

A man upset over a breakup shot three people, inclu-
ding his own baby, at a church in Alabama Sunday.﻿

Photo: Alaina Denean Deshazo, MBO

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This undated photo provided by the Selma Police Department shows James Minter. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson says suspect Minter has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting a woman, an infant and a pastor inside a church, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Selma, Ala. (Selma Police Department via AP) less

This undated photo provided by the Selma Police Department shows James Minter. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson says suspect Minter has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after ... more

Photo: HOGP

Suspect in church shooting upset over breakup, police say

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EAST SELMA, Ala. - A man suspected of shooting three people in an Alabama church likely was upset over a recent breakup and visitation issues with his son, police said.

James Junior Minter, 26, is being held without bond in the shooting of his girlfriend, his infant son and a pastor who tried to intervene Sunday morning, according to Selma police Lt. Curtis Muhannad. The pastor has been identified as Earl Carswell.

Minter was arrested after he opened fire during church service at Oasis Tabernacle Church in East Selma, Ala.

Witnesses told police that Minter entered the church and sat in the front row between his girlfriend and the baby, according to a statement released by the Selma Police Department. Minter then pulled out a handgun and started shooting, the statement said. The girlfriend, 24, fell to the ground, and Minter fired at her, striking her in the jaw and shoulder. The baby, a 1-month-old boy, was shot in the hand.

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